Government won’t compensate residents near dams for flood damage, says Majodina

Minister of Water and Sanitation Pamela Majodina visited the Bloemhof Dam on Friday to assess the infrastructure amid heavy water inflows and high releases that have caused downstream flooding.

During her visit, Majodina made it clear that the government would not be held responsible for property damage suffered by residents who had built structures too close to the water.

“The communities that are complaining have encroached the floodline and no government is going to be responsible for their loss of property,” Majodina stated during an interview with Newzroom Afrika.

“In fact, I want to come and tell them without mixing my words that they must move away from the floodline because they are going to be washed away by this water.”

Minister Pemmy Majodina is at Bloemhof Dam today to assess the infrastructure amid heavy inflows into the dam, as well as the high water releases from the dam that have resulted in flooding in some areas downstream @David_Mahlobo1 @seitlholo pic.twitter.com/oDcW9eR3uD

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Water department warns of illegal dam wall failures

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Bloemhof Dam at critical levels

The Reservoir reported that Bloemhof Dam was at 110.7% capacity as of 7am on Friday, with an inflow of 2175m³/s and outflow of 2500m³/s.

This follows even higher levels earlier in the week.

“This dam was standing at 116% two days ago,” said Majodina.

“As long as we are not beyond 116%, it means the dam is safe.”

The minister warned that weather forecasts indicate more precipitation could be on the way, potentially worsening the situation.

“In the next seven days it is predicted that there might be more rain,” Majodina cautioned, adding that the department may need to open more sluice gates, which would increase the danger for residents living on the floodline.

ALSO READ: Deneysville residents fear homes will flood as Vaal Dam levels remain high

No panic necessary, but evacuation urged

Despite the concerning water levels, Majodina reassured the public that authorities were monitoring the situation closely.

“The reports that the walls of the dam are to be looked at because they are of concern – we are monitoring that as well,” she said.

“Remember this is an old dam and the infrastructure will need some replacement at some point, but at the moment there’s no need to panic. We are in control. We have been monitoring this dam ever since the rain started.”

ALSO READ: Vaal Dam flooding: Why residents are shrugging off evacuation warnings

Department defends water management

Responding to criticism that authorities hadn’t opened sluice gates soon enough, Majodina defended the department’s actions.

“We have seen a lot of reports, some of them that are very much misleading, that we have not opened the sluice gate on time,” she explained.

“You don’t wake up and willy-nilly open the gates. There’s a particular capacity where you are then forced to release water. At the moment, how we are releasing water here is contained within the norms and standards.”

Limitations of flood control

The minister said that while the department can manage dam operations, it cannot prevent flooding caused by excessive rainfall.

“We’re not in control of flooding, we’re in control of storing water in this dam,” Majodina stated.

“When there’s flooding happening around the area because of heavy rains, really, we don’t have control over that.”

She reiterated her warning to residents who had built in flood-prone areas: “They came voluntarily to build their businesses, their houses here, and we cannot be responsible.”

Five radial gates have been opened at the dam as authorities continue to monitor and control the operation of the facility amid the ongoing flood situation.

NOW READ: Vaal Dam level rises, but no need to open more sluice gates just yet